272 Proceedings of the Royal Society 
archaeological theories, he remains still the prince of Palestine geo- 
graphers in all that relates to general topography; and in many cases 
where his conclusions have subsequently been rejected as unsound, 
his researches have been the means of identifying or correcting the 
positions of long lost sites. He was followed in 1848 by his coun- 
tryman, Commodore Lynch, whose celebrated expedition down the 
Jordan and upon the Dead Sea is familiar to every student. In 
1851-52, the Dutch officer, C. W. M. Van de Velde, made his 
survey, and provided for us the first accurate map of modern Pales- 
tine. His work has been the basis upon which most subsequent 
explorers have proceeded. In the following year, Mr Porter 
explored the wonderful country of the Hauran, or Bashan, and 
revealed to us many of its ruined cities. In these regions east of 
Jordan Mr Cyril Graham has made yet more important discoveries, 
which he has published chiefly in the Transactions of the Geogra- 
phical Society. 
Of those who have not personally visited the country, one writer, 
Carl Bitter, has rendered invaluable service by his exhaustive work 
on the Comparative Geography of Palestine, which has recently 
been rendered accessible to English students by Mr Gage’s transla- 
tion, published by Messrs Clark, and which is almost indispensable 
to every student of the subject. 
The Bev. G. Williams, in his learned work u The Holy City,” is 
almost the only writer who has hitherto devoted both learning, 
archaeological knowledge, and a long residence in the Holy City, 
to the elucidation of the topography of ancient Jerusalem itself, all 
other writers having been deficient in one or other of these indis- 
pensable requisites for investigating the vexed question of the 
sacred sites. 
In 1864 the Palestine Exploration Fund was commenced, for 
the purpose of the complete and thorough exploration of the Holy 
Land, both as regards its archaeology, topography, manners and 
customs, geology, and natural history. It is perfectly impossible 
for ordinary travellers from private resources, still less for tourists, 
to accomplish these great objects, especially as regards archaeology. 
Before proceeding to other branches of research, I will endeavour 
shortly to explain what the Palestine Exploration Fund has already 
accomplished in the examination of Jerusalem itself. 
